Unit History: Converted in January, 1942, from the 104th Infantry Antitank Battalion, 45th Infantry Division, at Camp San Luis Obispo, California. Arrived Belfast, Ireland, on 17 August, 1942, and at Oran, Algeria, on 1 February, 1943. Trained French troops on M10’s in North Africa; only battalion observers went to front. Arrived at Naples, Italy, on 8 February, 1944, and moved to Gustav Line along Garigliano River by 9 March. Entered Rome on 4 June. Carried doughs into Livorno on 18 July. Crossed Arno River in September, then supported attack on Gothic Line through October. Broke into Po River Valley in April 1945, crossed Po River on 27 April. Company C was part of column that linked up with U.S. Seventh Army troops in Brenner Pass on 5 May. Attached to: 34th, 85th, 88th, 91st Infantry divisions. History text from the book The Tank Killers by Harry Yeide. Used by permission.
Combat Equipment: 3/44 – M10
Commanding Officers: Lt. Col. Edward Purdy (Original CO, 1/41); Lt. Col. Fred G. Rowell (3/44)
Code Name/s: Lotion
Campaign Credits: Rome Arno………………….Jan. 22, to Sept. 9, 1944
North Apennines…………..Sept. 10, 1944 to Apr. 4, 1945
Po Valley…………………….Apr. 5, 1945 to May 8, 1945
Awards: Croix De Guerre (French or Belgium “Cross of War”)
Location August 1945: Camp Hood, TX
Additional Information/Materials:
1.) Photo Gallery
2.) Eight Hundred and Fourth Tank Destroyer Battalion 1941-1945. A history compiled and edited by Major Wallace Clement, Lt. Bruce A. Berlin, Lt. James D. Freed and Lt. John B. Gregg, Camp Hood, TX, 1945. Includes an award listing in Part 2. Courtesy of Laura Ishler.
Part 1………………………11 Pages
Part 2………………………10 Pages
3.) Monthly History Reports – from the Combined Arms Research Library of the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
Feb. 1 to 29, 1944……….1 Page (Organizational)
March 1944………………..2 Pages
April 1944………………….2 Pages
May 1944…………………..3 Pages
July 1944…………………..2 Pages (poor quality)
August 1944……………….1 Page
September 1944…………..2 Pages
October 1944………………1 Page
November 1944……………2 Pages (includes an award listing)
December 1944……………2 Pages (second page poor quality)
January 1945………………2 Pages
February 1945……………..2 Pages
March 1945…………………3 Pages
April 1945…………………..7 Pages (includes awards listing)
May 1945……………………3 Pages (includes awards listing)
4.) S-3 Reports for Aug. 20 to 31, 1944……..9 Pages
5.) Miscellaneous Documents – from the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home, Abilene, Kansas.
Organization of TD Battalions, Dec. 3, 1941…………..4 Pages
Organization of TD Battalions, Jan. 30, 1942………….1 Page
6.) Group Photo in Italy – A mixed group of 51 soldiers in what seems to be a town in Italy. Some from the 804th but possibly some from other units, including a few that look to be in British uniforms. Samuel DeStephano of the 804th is standing in the back row, fourth from the right. Photo courtesy of Laura Ishler.
7.) Group Company Photo – A group photograph identified as being “B” Company, although that is not confirmed. The 804th had arrived in Ireland on August 17, 1942, and after two weeks, they moved to Crom Castle and estate, which is located near Newtownbutler in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. The unit set up their Headquarters within the castle and the rest of the unit was housed in Nissen-type (Quonset) huts used for barracks. They remained there for training over the next four months until late November when they moved to England. Thank you to Robert Hermann for the link.